9 Best Things to Do in Orange County, CA (2024)
Orange County, CA comprises 34 cities, so there’s no shortage of options for recreation and entertainment, regardless of your interests.
Here are some of the most popular things to do in OC:
1. Visit a local brewery
Orange County is home to one of the West Coast’s most vibrant craft beer scenes. Check out our list of 50+ Orange County breweries.
2. Visit the beach
There are several world-famous beaches in Orange County, including:
Huntington Beach - Surf City, USA is one of the most accessible beaches in Orange County. Check out Main Street for plenty of dining options.
Newport Beach - Famous for Balboa Island, a Cape Cod style neighborhood, and the Balboa Peninsula.
Laguna Beach - The most beautiful beach in Orange County with picturesque bluffs.
Huntington Beach
3. Disneyland
The most popular theme park on planet Earth has more than 40 rides for visitors to enjoy.
4. Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is a great place to dine, shop, enjoy live entertainment, and people watch. There is no admission charge but you do have to pay for parking.
5. Knott's Berry Farm
What started out as a roadside produce stand has become the 4th most visited theme park in America.
6. Visit a food hall
Orange County is home to a variety of cultures and has a diverse culinary scene. There’s no better place to try a little bit of everything than a food hall, an attraction that features a cluster of vendors selling everything from Instagrammable boba drinks to tandoori chicken. Orange County’s most notable food hall is probably the Anaheim Packing House—a former citrus packing warehouse that was converted into the tourist attraction it is today.
7. Mission San Juan Capistrano
The Mission San Juan Capistrano was built in 1776 and remains open to the public. After your visit, you can take a stroll in the Los Rios Historic District just a few minutes away.
8. Visit Little Saigon
There are many versions of Little Saigon throughout the United States, but Orange County remains home to the largest Little Saigon in the world. Come here to try authentic Vietnamese dishes like:
Bun Boe Hue - a rich noodle soup, often served with congealed blood
Banh Mi - a sandwich with distinct ingredients like shredded carrot and cilantro
Banh Xeo - a crispy rice pancake served with fresh veggies and fish sauce
Goi Cuon - spring rolls
Pho - perhaps the most recognized Vietnamese dish in the US, this is a delicious bone broth soup (check out our list of the best pho in OC)
9. Go shopping
Orange County has 13 major shopping malls, including the renown South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
